Easiest option might be not allowing away fans at all. It's a Durham challenge cup game, surely they'll be playing the kids, and we will (albeit with a scattering of first teamers, like the other games).

Easiest option might be not allowing away fans at all. It's a Durham challenge cup game, surely they'll be playing the kids, and we will (albeit with a scattering of first teamers, like the other games).

Not sure if rules of competition allow that. That would be up to DFA rules, if they have ever considered such an issue as i doubt it has ever arisen before

Look at the Checkatrade Trophy where Sunderland play Newcastle u21s. Sunderland have had to offer Newcastle 10% of the ground despite the policing issues etc

__________________________________________________________________________________Follow me on

I can't decide whether I'm excited, as it's a chance to play Hartlepool again after what feels like an eternity (and how things have changed since 2007), or very nonplussed, as it's the Durham Challenge Cup. A real shame it's not in a proper competition, and I too echo the concerns that hosting costs may mean we struggle to make money out of it.

At least the reaction from both set of fans on twitter shows the rivalry is still alive and well after our exile!

Easiest option might be not allowing away fans at all. It's a Durham challenge cup game, surely they'll be playing the kids, and we will (albeit with a scattering of first teamers, like the other games).

Not sure if rules of competition allow that. That would be up to DFA rules, if they have ever considered such an issue as i doubt it has ever arisen before

Look at the Checkatrade Trophy where Sunderland play Newcastle u21s. Sunderland have had to offer Newcastle 10% of the ground despite the policing issues etc

I'd be surprised if the competition did have rules, but if they do... i mean, if it's 10%, it's 330. If we do allow visiting fans, they should be kept to the absolute allowed minimum, and probably only sell them tickets if they'll come on a club coach. The last thing we need is an incident, and this game is exactly the type to generate one... for a meaningless cup.

Christ, harp on about "the good old days" and get a chance to relive just a snippet of it and you all start moaning on.

Let the police worry about the trouble as they do across the whole footballing spectrum. Gauge interest and get the Arena if necessary. Good idea selling home tickets at home matches as that drags some of the little stone island boys out the boot and shoe for once on a Saturday.

I am certainly looking forward to this. I hope TW talks to Money and they agree to field there first team and they publicise this. Policing arena would be easier and to be honest I think both set of fans in the main will really look forward to this. Could gaugue numbers expected by getting tickets on sale early. Plus a good test for each team.

Looking forward to this game tbh even though it is a minor cup competition.Hopefully Poolies will have quite a few first teamers playing and not just kids to give it some extra spice.Reckon there could be up to 1400 on the night which would be great for the club.

Help get the club back to Darlo by helping to spread the word about the "Back to Darlo!" fund. The image on the right will be constantly updated with the latest total so please feel free to use the image link below the thermometer on your own signatures, blogs, websites, etc.